Seven South West ICBs Choose NEC Rego to Deliver a Single Dental Referral Service

The rollout brings together referral activity across 12 dental pathways, supporting services for around 5.5 million people. Once live, it will connect more than 900 dental practices, 17 acute providers and 1,000+ GP practices, with approximately 160,000 referrals expected each year.

A consistent, data-driven approach to dental referrals 

By moving to a single referral service, the South West region will benefit from a clearer, more consistent approach to the quality and triage of referrals. For clinicians, it means a simpler route into specialist services and greater confidence in the information reviewed. For commissioners, it offers real-time insight into demand, pressure points and capacity across the region. 

This unified approach supports national calls for referral routes and improved use of data in dentistry. Recent sector reports have highlighted variations in referral pathways and the challenges created by limited visibility of demand – issues the new system directly addresses. 

“Introducing a single referral service across the South West will reduce variation and give clinicians a simpler, more consistent route into specialist dental care. It will also give us greater confidence in the quality of referral information, which helps improve triage and reduces delays for patients.” – Matthew Jerreat, South West Regional Chief Dental Officer, NHS England

Demand for dental services continue to rise, and having real-time visibility of referral activity will make a significant difference to how we plan and commission provision. A unified system will support more consistent decision-making and help ensure patients are directed to the right service first time.” – Chris Bell, Co-Clinical Director at Bristol Dental School and Chair of the South West Oral Surgery Managed Clinical Network

Coordinated rollout across all seven ICBs 

Six ICBs – Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshite, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, Devon, Gloucestershire, and Somerset – will introduce the new referral service in 2026. Dorset, where NEC Rego is already in use, will join the unified regional system in 2027. 

Implementation planning is now underway, with NEC working closely with local commissioning teams to ensure a smooth rollout for clinicians, providers and patients.

David East, Director, NEC Rego, shared: “We are delighted to support the South West as the region adopts a single dental referral solution with NEC Rego. A unified system will help patients reach the right care faster and give clinicians and commissioners a clearer view of demand. It also strengthens clinical decision-making, reduces avoidable rework, and helps providers plan services with greater confidence.”

Strengthening dental services across England 

With the addition of the South West, NEC Rego now supports 22 of England’s 42 ICBs, representing more than half of the national market for digital dental referrals. The platform is already well-established across regions including the South East, West Midlands, North West London, and parts of the East Midlands.